Watching Bukayo Saka on a football pitch is always a pleasure. He possesses the talent, confidence and spark to produce something special out of nowhere.
It's got to the point now where we all have the same high expectations for him each week, you just know that he will turn up and do what he does best more often than not.
However, as we become used to his quality and style, so does the opposition. Not for the first time this season, Saka was targeted on many occasions at the weekend to the extent that he urged for more protection from referee Andy Madley.
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"I wasn’t complaining to the ref, but I just wanted to let him know that that’s my game - running at players with pace - and sometimes I need a bit more protection when players are purposefully trying to kick me," Saka told BT Sport following Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Tyrone Mings was booked for a sliding challenge on the youngster and it was one that caused the most concern. The defender may have won the ball initially, but a dangerous follow-through caught Saka's Achilles with studs and left him with a bloodied sock.
Thankfully, Saka had already scored what would turn out to be the only goal of the match and although he was able to continue despite receiving several knocks, Mikel Arteta made the decision to sub him off towards the end.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard was asked about Saka's post-match comments but clearly had little sympathy for the Arsenal man. "It's part of the game. The last time I checked it's not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality's allowed," he said.
"He's a good player, he's an outstanding talent and I love him. But he can't complain about that side. That's football. I'm sitting here now with screws in my hips, I've had about 16 operations, I'm struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That's all on the back of earning a living in English football. He'll learn and he'll learn quick."
Now I'm very much a believer that the game has gone soft over the years, without a doubt. But there remains a line to be crossed and a duty to protect the players, Gerrard has completely missed the point.
Saka said that he didn't complain to the referee, he was simply asking for a bit more protection after being on the receiving end of several fouls, including one that could have resulted in serious damage.
Gerrard mentions the operations he's undergone due to playing football, but that is exactly what Saka is trying to avoid and his conversation with the ref proves that. The officials have a duty to protect the welfare of players, it's just a shame that it has to take someone to speak up before action is taken.
Yes football is a contact sport and of course tackles are allowed, but that doesn't always have to lead someone to the operating theatre. It seems like it was all very much sour grapes from Gerrard after the game, no doubt his tune would be different if it was one of his own players in Saka's position.
Arteta was also asked about the situation and said "We have to listen to the players. They are the reason why we are all here."
Saka has won 43 fouls this season, ranking him the ninth most fouled player in the league. Gerrard's view isn't just out of touch, but it doesn't even correspond to the point Arsenal's Hale End star is trying to make.
